Head of Recruitment and Onboarding

We are currently seeking a: Head of Recruitment and Onboarding (0.8–1.0 FTE / 30–37.5 hours)

Location: Amsterdam

Why this position?

Milieudefensie is entering a new phase. The movement is growing, our strategy is becoming more focused, and the sense of urgency is increasing. With our General Policy Plan 2025–2030, we are fully committed to systemic change: climate justice as a core principle, firmly anchored in public, political, and legal frameworks.

Our goal: a movement of 600,000 people, each contributing in their own way—at work, in their neighborhood, in politics, or through a donation. The Recruitment and Activation Department plays a crucial role in this. The department focuses on fundraising, member services, organizing, campaigns, data, and online engagement.

As Head of Recruitment and Activation, you are the driving force behind our growth as a movement. You come up with ideas that resonate with people and use your vision to engage more people in climate justice—whether in their neighborhoods, workplaces, through their votes, or by making a contribution. As a member of our management team (MT), you provide strategic direction, challenge your colleagues to think bigger, and strengthen the role of the social movement in Milieudefensie’s direction.

What will you be doing?

THE STRATEGIC MISSION

You play a key role in bringing to light a broad, hopeful, and engaged movement. You inspire people to actively contribute to climate justice and bring new forms of connection, action, and solidarity to life.

This strategy is based on three pillars:

• Growing our movement: You come up with innovative ways to reach people, inspire them to take action, and keep them engaged—locally, online, and nationwide.
• Deepening our connection with our supporters: through campaigns, events, and engagement strategies, you can foster meaningful engagement and show how every person can make a difference.
• Strengthening financial capacity: You develop strategies that increase support from both private individuals and institutions, and you know how to effectively link program content with fundraising in an inspiring way.

At the same time, you serve as an inspiring leader for your department and a strategic contributor within the management team. You challenge others, encourage ownership, and bring different disciplines together to achieve a shared impact.

THE ASSIGNMENT (EXECUTION)

• You will develop an inspiring vision for recruitment, engagement, and fundraising, and translate it into guiding strategies.
• You ensure that stories and initiatives align with the spirit of our times and the values of Milieudefensie.
• You will coach team leaders from the various departments (fundraising, member services, organizing, data, and online engagement).
• You will strengthen institutional fundraising through clear value propositions, partnerships, and networks.
• You promote a data-driven approach, but always put relationships with people first.
• As a member of the management team, you actively contribute to the organization’s direction—with a focus on impact, collaboration, and innovation.
• You will develop and communicate a compelling vision of what engagement can look like in today’s world. 
• You know how to turn strategy into stories and initiatives that energize and provide direction.

What are you bringing?

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND

• You have a college-level work and thinking ability.
• You have at least 7 years of experience in fundraising, public engagement, and/or movement-building, including at least 3 years in a strategic or management team role.
• You have proven expertise in both institutional fundraising (endowments, major donors, wealth funds) and individual fundraising (member retention, online marketing, bequests).
• You have experience with data-driven decision-making, conversion optimization, and impact measurement, but you also know that numbers only become meaningful when they inspire people to take action.
• You have proven experience leading independent professionals and managing change initiatives in a dynamic, social environment.

LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL PROFILE

• You think in terms of possibilities, drive change, and know how to inspire people with a compelling vision.
• You inspire teams and individuals to take ownership, think outside the box, and make a meaningful impact.
• You are able to weave together engagement, organization, campaigns, and communication into a single narrative that resonates with people and inspires them to take action.
• You show what is possible, bring people together, and turn ideas into energy and engagement.

Who do you work with?

As a member of the management team (MT), you will work closely with fellow department heads, the campaign manager, and the executive board. You will report to the executive board. Of course, you will also work closely with your colleagues in your own department.

What do we offer?

• A one-year contract that will be converted to a permanent position upon satisfactory performance.
• A salary ranging from €5,233 to €8,052 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience. At Milieudefensie, this is a 37.5-hour workweek.
• Your own laptop that you take home with you every day, so you can work from home as well.
• The option to arrange your work hours flexibly and to swap (Christian) holidays for other holidays.
• A casual and open work environment with enthusiastic colleagues.
• A sufficient travel allowance, work-from-home allowance, and leave policy.
• An excellent pension plan at a.s.r.
• An office in Amsterdam Overamstel, accessible by bike and public transportation.
• Fresh fruit every day and a vegan lunch three days a week for a small fee.
• Free access to the OpenUp interactive platform for mental well-being.

Milieudefensie staff work partly from home. We meet both online and in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion

 We believe in the power of diversity and strive to build a diverse workforce with balanced representation across gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and ethnic background. That is why we especially encourage people from groups that are underrepresented within the climate movement to apply.

Want to apply right away?

Interested? Please upload your cover letter (maximum 1 A4 page) and resume, both in PDF format, by Wednesday, November 26, 2025, via our online application form.

The first round of interviews will take place on Wednesday afternoon, December 3. The second round of interviews will take place on Wednesday afternoon, December 10. A selection assessment is part of the selection process.

Do you have any questions? 

Please contact Director Jessica Mahn at jessica.mahn@milieudefensie.nl or call 020-5507300.

>You can find more information about our application process here.

>You can find information about working at Milieudefensie here.

This job opening is being advertised both internally and externally. We do not welcome unsolicited recruitment inquiries regarding this position.

Top photo: Milieudefensie during the Climate March in The Hague on Sunday, October 26. ©Marten van Dijl